When will Delaware ring in Chinese New Year in 2024? A look at this year's animal & more
Delawareans and many people in Asian countries will ring in the Chinese New Year (also referred to as the Lunar New Year) in just a few days.
Here’s what you need to know about that First State celebration, when the Chinese New Year begins, which animal is represented in this Lunar New Year, and more.
Chinese New Year Party in Delaware
The Chinese American Community Center, which has drawn thousands of guests to their annual summer festival near Hockessin, is throwing a party to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The party includes leaping lions, festival folk dances and a fashion show, door prizes and Chinese Opera.
Bring an appetite, because the luncheon offers cuisine such as loin steak, crispy diced chicken, flounder filet with Chinese broccoli, shredded pork with dry bean curd, Ma Po Tofu (no meat), crispy prawns with cream, yang chow fried rice and vegetable lo-mein.
The party schedule begins with the CACC Welcome Parade (noon), followed by the luncheon (12:30 p.m.), and featured performers (1:30 p.m.), per the event flyer.
Seating for this event is limited and first come, first served.
Guests can register by mailing a check (payable to CACC) by Feb. 12 (postmarked) to CACC: 1313 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin DE 19707.
The Chinese American Community Center (1313 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin) from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18. Admission is up to $28 per person after Feb. 2. Visit facebook.com/CACCdelaware or caccdelaware.org (302) 239-0432.
When is Chinese Lunar New Year 2024?
This year, Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb. 10.
The date for the Lunar New Year changes each year since it follows a lunar calendar, according to Gang Liu, a professor of Chinese studies at Carnegie Mellon University.
The United States and most other countries use the Gregorian calendar and that's based on a system of 365 days (plus a leap day every four years). According to Smithsonian, "Japan began using the Gregorian calendar in 1873, Korea in 1896 and China in 1912, and they use it as the standard for official and international matters. But these countries still refer to their traditional lunisolar calendars, where dates are based on the positions of the sun and moon, for birthdays and cultural events,''
Lunar New Year is based on the moon's 12 phases. Each phase cycle is about 29 days with the full calendar being roughly 354 days long.
On the Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year generally falls during the last 10 days of January or the first 10 days of February, says Chen Yang, a professor of Chinese culture and philosophy at George Washington University.
Who celebrates Lunar New Year?
Around the world, an estimated 2 billion people celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The Lunar New Year is observed in numerous Asian cultures, as highlighted by Xiaoquan Raphael Zhang, the director of the Chinese program at American University, in USA TODAY.
These cultures include Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino, and Indonesian traditions.
Each culture has its own name for the new year. For instance, Lunar New Year in China is called the Spring Festival, or chūnjié. South Korea refers to the Lunar New Year as Seollal. In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called T?t, which is short for T?t Nguyên ?án.
How long is Chinese New Year 2024?
In China, Lunar New Year spans from the first new moon to the next full moon, or the fifth day of the lunar month, Zhang previously told USA TODAY.
This begins with the Spring Festival and ends with the Lantern Festival, says Liu. In 2024, Lunar New Year starts Saturday, Feb. 10, and ends Saturday, Feb. 24.
The number of days of celebration varies depending on the country. In South Korea, Seollal usually lasts for three days. In Vietnam, T?t Nguyên ?án is a week long.
What Lunar New Year animal is 2024?
In 2024, it's all about the Year of the Dragon.
There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac and each has its own attributes and characteristics. These 12 animals coincide with the lunar calendar in a 12-year cycle.
The order of the Chinese Zodiac is:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit (in Vietnam, the rabbit is replaced by the cat)
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
The year 2023 was represented by the rabbit (or cat in Vietnam). People born under the Zodiac are often seen as caring, attentive to details and likely to follow rules, while 2024 is the Year of the Dragon are considered tenacious, courageous and smart.
Why is Lunar New Year important?
Like the Western New Year, Lunar New Year symbolizes letting go of the past and ringing in the present. Celebrations are focused on removing the bad and the old and welcoming the new and the good, says Yang.
The Lunar New Year also is an important time for spending time with family to show one's love and gratitude, says Yang. People will pay their respects to their ancestors and older family members.
USA TODAY reporter Oliva Munson contributed to this report.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is Chinese New Year 2024? A Delaware guide to lunar history
